Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared.

The minutes of the Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board (1) meeting held on 2 February 2015 were signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising.

Briefing Note and Presentation of the Executive Director, Resources

The Scrutiny Board received a briefing note and presentation from the Executive Director for Resources regarding the City Council’s Capital Programme 2015/16.

The Scrutiny Board were reviewing the programme and were seeking assurances that the programme was delivering Council priorities and that the implications and risks associated with the programme were understood. 

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on the Coventry Investment Fund (CIF) and requested further information on the proportion of investment through the CIF to private businesses and the City Council.

The Scrutiny Board sought clarification over the level of investment from the City Council towards the NUCKLE (Nuneaton, Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington) rail project and requested further information.

Members further discussed the level of risk associated with different projects and Members still had some concern relating to project management, particularly arising from the issues from the Customer Services Centre.  Members requested that their concerns be relayed to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources.

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board

1.  Noted the contents of the presentation and the City Council Capital Programme 2015/16.

2.  Requested that the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources be informed of their risk management concerns relating to the Capital Programme 2015/16.

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator to review the work of the Board during the 2014/15 municipal year and to identify any priorities or issues for consideration when planning next year’s Scrutiny work programme.

The Scrutiny Board had considered the Civic Centre disposal and Heatline as priorities for next municipal year but noted that Heatline may be considered in a different Scrutiny Board work programme.  Scrutiny Board members also discussed the importance of Cabinet Member attendance at Scrutiny Board meetings and requested that this be facilitated, where possible, next municipal year.

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board considered the work programme and noted that their comments would be taken into consideration as part of work programming and planning for the 2015/16 municipal year.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board noted the items on the work progamme and agreed to remove ACL (Arena Coventry Limited) from the work progamme.

The Scrutiny Board evaluated the meeting and their comments would be used to ensure the continued efficiency and effectiveness of future meetings.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no additional items of public business.